Our guest is Daria Usova, a renowned artist based in the Principality of Monaco. She developed and patented her own collage technique in 2003. Her work explores themes of the ocean, metaphysics and Jung Philosophy of the collective unconscious through compositions created from thousands of fine details.
Her artworks are held in major collections around the world, from H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, to the Kardashians family.
Hello Monaco spoke with the artist about her latest auction success, international collectors and upcoming projects.
Hello Monaco:Tell us about the recent auction at the Monaco Ambassadors Gala, where Simon de Pury sold your work for €80,000.
Daria Usova: I have known Simon de Pury for many years. He owns one of my works, and in 2023 he sold another piece during the Prince Albert II Foundation’s Rewild the Planet charity evening for €50,000.
This year’s gala marked the inauguration of Charles Leclerc as Monaco’s Goodwill Ambassador. A small sculpture “Life Shell”, from my dedicated Ocean Protection series, was auctioned by Simon during the evening, with all proceeds going to support the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation initiatives.
After the sale, H.S.H. Prince Albert II and Charles Leclerc signed the sculpture. Their signatures became part of the artwork capturing this historic moment.
Hello Monaco:Why is the theme of the ocean so important to you?
Daria Usova: Water is central to both human body and the planet, carrying codes that pass through us and connect us with life. Water is an infinite Vessel of information, holding the mysteries of the past, the present and the future. Through the exploration of the depths of the ocean, its creatures, life and metaphysics, one can enter the macrocosm of creation and the inner world of the human being, reason why it remains a recurring theme in my work. Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum remains a constant source of inspiration for me.
Ocean protection is deeply important to H.S.H. Prince Albert II, and through my work I connect to and support H.S.H Prince Albert II efforts.
Hello Monaco: Could you tell us about the collections where your works are represented?
Daria: At the early age of 20, my works entered the collection of the Guggenheim Museum Foundation in New York. Today, my artworks are held in significant international
private and institutional collections, including Dolce & Gabbana, the Kardashian family, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Larry Gagosian, Simon de Pury, Vladimir and Ekaterina Semenikhin, Hans Kompernass, as well as the Benetton Imago Mundi collection. And the list goes on.
Hello Monaco: Tell us about your most recent exhibitions.
Daria Usova: Contemporary Istanbul 20th Anniversary 2025 led to new sales and an invitation to present my Portals project at Art Dubai. Together with my gallerist, we decided to postpone participation until 2027.
Most recently, I returned from Mexico City where I participated in ZONAMACO 2026, making a new chapter in Latin America’s leading contemporary art fair.
Hello Monaco: What is your most expensive work sold to date?
Daria Usova: It was a large-scale sculpture commissioned and created as part of my Collector’s Legacy concept. The work incorporated personal details, photographs and meaningful moments from the collector’s life. The sculpture, now based in Monaco, sold last summer for €100,000.
Hello Monaco: What are you working on next?
Daria Usova: I am currently preparing a new project connected to the Venice Biennale, which I will announce soon.
To learn more about Daria Usova’s work, scan the QR code to visit her official Instagram page.
